Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on June 21, 2017 at 7:03am

Just my opinion and thoughts...1/8" should work fine, 1/4" for the sides and ends if up are obsessive on the strength of the box, but a thin lid will work better acoustically.

Remember, "it's a stick in a box" and don't over engineer the thing. Some of the best sounding CBGs I've built were old crappy wood cigar boxes. I think the aging process helps with the resonance.

Have fun and enjoy the addiction.

Permalink Reply by David J Lohnes on June 21, 2017 at 7:22am

Based on what you suggest from your experience, I think I will use 1/8" plywood for the top and bottom. For the body I'll use 1/4" and attach the top and bottom to the body with glue. It makes sense using the thinner plywood for the top and bottom. Thank you much!

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on June 21, 2017 at 8:41am

Just to add to the Duck's quack:

Try to make your box as deep as practicable for better acoustic resonance. I make 13" x 10-1/2" x 3-1/2" boxes that are great acoustic movers, with 3/16" tops and bottoms, and 1/4" sides. I installed 1/2" x 1/2" corner posts and side rails inside all the seams; this gave places to both glue and screw, which really helped stiffen the box so that both top and bottom resonate well. Resist the urge for a big soundhole, too, if you want a more bass-rich tone; just one US quarter-sized hole let into the upper left bout, about 1-1/2" toward the center from the corner, is all you need.

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on June 21, 2017 at 8:48am

What Ron said.  The sound holes don't need to be very large to sound good.

Permalink Reply by David J Lohnes on June 21, 2017 at 11:46am

I did not think about a sound hole...should one be put in all guitars regardless if it is going to be electrified or not? I plan on putting in a snake oil pickup with volume and tone as well as a psycho knob... thanks...

Permalink Reply by Patrick Allison on August 10, 2017 at 2:20pm

I do a lot of cigar box shopping, I occasionally find boxes that are way cooler than anything I could build. I'm also a woodworker and I've been guilty in the past of way over engineering stuff. I'm currently working on a license plate resonator, generally, you would build your own box for those. 

Permalink Reply by David J Lohnes on August 11, 2017 at 6:43pm

Thanks for the reply. I have been going to garage sales looking for a box but haven't found one yet. I plan on looking for one until cold weather sets in then if I haven't found one yet, plan on building my own box.

Permalink Reply by jeff burgoyne on August 12, 2017 at 11:54pm

keep us informed this sounds like ya'll going to have some fun

Permalink Reply by David J Lohnes on August 29, 2017 at 2:12pm

Well, I was in a Hobby Lobby today and spotted a solid wood hinged pine box with a small latch that is about 12 x 8 x 3 1/2 inches. The lid and box are 1/4 inch thick and the top and bottom are 1/8 inch. I am thinking this may be a workable box to use for my cigar box. Is a box like this ok for a CBG build? I am going to build it with electronics and the box seems pretty rigid without any cracks anywhere....

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on August 29, 2017 at 4:06pm

Sounds like a good box to me.  Just because it didn't start out holding cigars doesn't mean it wont make a good guitar.

Permalink Reply by David J Lohnes on August 31, 2017 at 2:53am

Thanks! I think I will use it in my first build to see how things go. Do you have any advice for a newbie in doing a first project? I got one of the C.B. Gitty Heritage Edition American Chestnut pre-fretted necks (as a woodworker I have a deep admiration for American Chestnut). Do you think as a first timer should I use this neck or save it for a later build as I become more "experienced" in my builds. Any advice you can throw my way is greatly appreciated.

Permalink Reply by Gib on September 19, 2017 at 4:58am

I just finished my first CBG.  Because I wrecked my cigar box I decided to use some 1/4 inch mahogany I had in the shop.  I used the dimensions from the original cigar box and I did not do any doubling up.  The only thing I did was to put corner pieces to hold the box together.  I cut an F hole in the top.  I was really pleased with the deep rich tone I achieved, all by accident I guess.

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